Now in its 37th year, the Southeast Florida Scottish Festival and Highland Games will be held at Plantation Heritage Park on March 7th, 2020. The centrally located premier venue will be transformed into an exciting exhibition of Scottish culture. As always, The Scottish American Society of South Florida (SASSF) will sponsor the anticipated annual festival which has become well-known around the country for its high-quality organization and featured entertainment celebrating Scottish Culture and Heritage.
Besides a fun time, The Scottish Festival is an educational event which includes a wide variety of Scottish cultural activities coupled with a Highland Games. These games are comprised of competitions in bagpiping, drumming, and Scottish athletics with participation by people of all ages, ethnicities, and sexes and is not restricted to those of Scottish heritage.
The colorful cultural event will provide two performance stages, as well as feature pipe band performances on the field. The Main Stage will host the Canadian Celtic rock band, The Mudmen, and the City of Dunedin Pipe Band both return as headlining music acts. New to the festival this year is The Piper Jones Band, a high-energy trio of Highland bagpipes accompanied by the unique percussive chords of the bouzouki and drum will perform both traditional songs and tunes from Scotland, Ireland, and Appalachia along with their original compositions.
The Palm Beach Sword School joins for the first time to demonstrate historically accurate broadsword and targe fighting. Audience members may be able to “Have A Go” and try it for themselves. Another festival favorite is storytelling where Scottish and Celtic myths, fairytales and history are told through vivid detail. Living history and artisan craft demonstrations will be back along with herding demos, dance traditions, children’s games, and so much more.
The vendor area will feature Scottish/Celtic artisan merchandise, such as pottery, jewelry, fabric arts, and leatherwork, including works by local and other Florida-based artisans. Traditional Scottish foods and plenty of foods from other cultural traditions will be available to purchase.
“Bring your own ‘clan’ of family and friends to hear the bagpipes, fiddles, and drums, witness caber-tossing, stone-throwing men and women athletes, wash down your Scotch egg, bangers and mash, and shortbread with some fine Scottish ale and Irn Bru – the most popular drink in Scotland, research your family connections, and shop for Scottish goods all in one beautiful location. Remember, everyone looks good in a kilt,” exclaimed Cheryl Gowing, SASSF President.
Hours are 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM., rain or shine, no refunds. Admittance is $15 at ticket outlets in advance & online and $20 at the gate. Children 6-14, $3. Under 6 free. Ticket price includes park entry fee and parking.
Plantation Heritage Park is located at 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane (W of 63rd Ave), Plantation. (North of I-595 on Peters Rd. between SR441 and University Drive) For further information and advance tickets please go to www.SASSF.org or call 954-460-5000.
Photos Courtesy of SASSF
